The Joys of Christmas

I started these crochet gifts in the summer.

It took me quite a while but was all worth it.

All of the kids loved them and they fit just right.

For me, one of the joys of Christmas is in the planning and the giving.

Another joy is the smiles and laughter everywhere......



The twinkle in the eyes of the children.

The excitement of Santa.

The love......


The best joy of all is in the time that is spent with family.

We enjoy cooking, playing games, hunting, watching movies and just hanging out together.

I love the "just hanging out". When children grow up and move into homes of their own and start their own families, times like this are precious to me.

I am reminded the reason for the season too.

I thank God for all of his many blessings.

Christmas Eve

I sit here awaiting the arrival of my 2 precious grand babies.

Some would say it is the quiet before the storm-

I say...bring it on!

We have already enjoyed 2 days with our daughters

which was like a Christmas bonus.

Now the house is quiet again, but all too soon there will be laughter,

games, food, movies, gifts and happiness.

Then before we know it, quiet will return.

So I will go and enjoy all there is and hope

each one of you are having as much fun.

Merry Christmas to all

and to all a good night!

Close to my heart

Recently a coworkers mother passed away. December 10th.

Every day; twice a day, I pass her grave.

It is on a small FM road on my way to town.

December 1st 2001 my mother passed away.

She is buried next to my father

off a small FM road about 200 miles away.

As I pass the grave each day, I see the many beautiful flowers

that are placed there. As the days have passed

their beauty fads and I know that soon,

it will look like all the other graves.

I remember when my mother's grave looked fresh

and feelings were fresh as well.

In some ways time treats feelings much like the flowers.

That is why my brother and I

planted a crepe myrtle bush at my parents grave.

Hoping that life would take hold and

fresh flowers would always be there.

I am happy to say, it worked and

there are fresh flowers

every day, no matter how far away I am.

Each day as I drive past her mother's grave-

give a glance,

bow my head

and think of my mother as well.

Her mother's passing has touched me.

My heart goes out to anyone who is

missing their mother,

especially as this time of year.

A gift of baking

When I want to let someone know I am thinking about them but don't really have alot of money to spend, I like to bake something and banana nut bread is my favorite. This is a old family recipe. Easy and tasty.

1 cup sugar

1 tsp soda

1/4 cup oil

1 tsp salt

1/4 cup butter (melted)

1 tsp cinnamon

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

4 bananas

2 cups flour

1/4 cup oatmeal

1 cup chopped pecans


combine oil, butter and sugar. Add eggs, flour, oatmeal, salt, soda and cinnamon.

Mix on medium speed till blended well. Add vanilla and sliced bananas.

Mix on high speed till bananas are blended well. Stir in pecans.

Bake in floured loaf pan at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or till toothpick comes out clean.



Enjoy!

Cold Mornings

Is was in the upper 20's this morning and the edge of the pond was frozen. The cats explored walking on it.

As the day warmed up, we installed a warmer for the stock tank water. This will keep the tank from freezing. Our worse winter months tend to be January and February so we are preparing. While we were working, as you can see there we had an audience.

The rest of the day was spent on household chores. I really enjoy being in my house. The house that we built with our own 2 hands. I am so thankful to have this warm, inviting home. I dreamed of it for years and not we are about to celebrate our 2nd Christmas in it. This is one of my favorite pictures of the front of the house. It was taken during the snow of last year.

Christmas Time is Here!

Today begins my 2 week vacation from school! I started out by curling up by a beautiful fire my honey made for me. As I relaxed, can you tell what was on the TV?

Yep, my first time to watch "White Christmas" for the 2010 holidays.


I wanted to share a few pictures of the decorations in the living room. Everything got in the act, even the bucks on the wall!

Next I will get my

Otis & Milo

Update on the venturing animails. They are ALL home safe and sound.
The last of the cats came home 3 days later.
No more ventures that far, but they still love to hang out together.
Kinda cute. I will get more pictures this weekend. Yogi is growing so fast!

A Night in Big "D"

A dear friend treated us to a memorable evening in Dallas. It began with a train ride to American Airlines Center on the TRE from FortWorth. We were on our way to watch the Dallas Mavericks play the Utah Jazz. The memories began. To quote the conductor, "Don't be alarmed, but the train hit a car"! Yes, I am serious. Fortunately, there were no passengers in the car! We had to then spend 1hr and 10min standing on a very crowed train waiting for the police to complete their business and allow us to continue on. Time was spent talking and for some....commenting on Facebook through their phones. Finally we were on our way. We arrived at the game just in time for the tip off. What a spectacle. Lights, music, cheers and alot of excitement. We were lucky enough to sit in a platinum suite. What a treat! The game was very exciting and the Mav's won, making it their 12th in a row! Now back to the train for our return trip. More memories! We missed the first train and had to wait 40 minutes to return on the very last one of the evening. A cold front had hit Dallas-it was cold and windy. We got back to the station safe and sound. My trip ended with a great breakfast this morning with my BFF Michele and her daughter and my son and his girlfriend.
What a truly spectacular weekend!

Stuck on train can be fun

My view as I sat down....


As we entered AAC

Dirk takes a free throw

Fun Fun Fun

The Gang

Our view




Mark Cuban and the soldiers at the game


Our train ride home

I want to share the feeling as I left highway 20 and headed south to Stephenville. As I began to see pastures of cattle and familiar hay stacks, I became relaxed and a feeling of home came over me. I LOVE my friends and family and visiting them in town, but I truly know

my heart is in the country.

Home Sweet Home

Otis & Milo

Yogi and Curly

Moe and Larry

Sadie & Yogi

Yogi & Larry

Do you remember the movie, Otis and Milo?

Well it seems that is what took place here yesterday.

Sadie, Yogi, Larry, Moe and Curly all went an adventure. It seems while John was in Brownwood, they wondered far and ended up down the dirt road, completely off of Murphy Ranch. A neighbor (about 2 miles down the road) called to let us know that Sadie and Yogi were there. This was around 12 noon so they had been hiking for about 3 hours. John brought them home and for punishment they were put on leads in the front yard. It wasn't till that evening that we realized the cats were also gone.

I admit I drove down the road and called for the cats for quite a while.

Nothing.

The dogs were let off the lead and fed dinner. Then just at dark, Moe appeared on the porch! When I went outside to say goodnight and check on everything outside, I found that Curly was back! But no Larry :( We have been calling and keeping our eyes out, but still no Larry. Hopefully, he will find his way back and nothing will do him harm. For now, the result of their little venture was some punishment and loosing one of their buddies. I sure hope they all learn to stay on Murphy Ranch. Somehow, I don't think that is going to happen.

I know they are just animals and most farmers/ranchers have a different view on domestic pets. I don't' think I will ever share those ideas.

I wonder what they thought as they wondered off. How did the communicate with each other? When or if did they know they were lost?

Did they learn anything, or will they take off again?

Oh good grief....too much thought on this one!!!!!!

Murphy Meat Packing

Daddy came home with the meat! We packed roast, ground meat and steak.

Venison is a very lean meat and very heart healthy. We cook roasts very slow in the crock pot with soup and I have never had one taste "gamey". I guess everyone has their own preferences, but I am proud to eat meat that is heart healthy with no additives, that my man provided. Did that sound too old fashioned? Now you are getting to know me!
I encourage you to try venison if you get the opportunity. You can use ground venison in any recipe that calls for ground meat. I think the key to cooking wild game is to cook it S L O W.
If you ever need help, just let me know.

I AM THANKFUL

FOR FAMILY FAITH FRIENDS

The weekend was crisp and cool. The fireplace was crackling and games were played.

FOOD FOOD FOOD

Hunting in the woods.

Kisses and hugs......

SILENCE

I'm Back!

Did anybody really miss me? I think I do this blog just for myself as a sort of journal that I can look back on. There has been alot going on and my heart was not into writing, but I think I am ready again.

Zeena turned into Yogi...the bear. It seems to suit her well. She is growing fast and a wonderful addition to the ranch. Rather than go back over the month or so, I will just pick up here.

Yesterday we traveled to Irving for John's family Thanksgiving. Alot of members could not be there but with what was there, it was wonderful.

I sit here this morning at my computer while I look out over the pond at the changing colors. Trees of red, orange, yellow and green. John is napping after having hunted EARLY this morning. He came home with only a kiss for me. Not bad!

We have alot of chores planned for later today to ready for the colder weather next week.

Every one have a great Sunday.

Reconsidering

The name may change.

Yogi the bear is now a top continder for a our little fluffy puppy.

What do you think?

I'll keep ya posted.

ZEENA: PRINCESS GUARDIAN

We have been researching and waiting for the right time and Saturday was it.

We brought home our 12 week old Great Pyrenees.

Her job is to guard our home and watch out for the animals. That is what this breed does. They are very gentle and calm, surprising that they are such guardians, but they are.

Her first night on the front porch, she woke us up a couple of times like any baby would. I think she was mostly lonely and in a new place. Today she played and did a little exploring.

Sadie and the cats welcomed her and all are getting along great.

We are turning into a real farm....or zoo..depending on how you look at it!

Can you go with me?

It is very difficult to explain to a 2 and 3 year old that the carnival is not good in the rain. We waited and waited. Because of the rain our evening cook out at the lake was canceled, so Conner went with me to take Popa John to get the boat at the lake. On our way back, I kept wondering where my cell phone was. As I was thinking that, I looked in the rear view mirror, just in time to see my new (not even a month old) blackberry fly off the and disintegrate on the pavement! YIKES...Later Brad and I walked at least 2 miles in the bar ditch hoping to find a piece that would contain the sim card. No such luck. So I am phoneless for a while.
Actually, I feel rather FREE!!
Finally about 2PM, Conner announced "No rain, Meemaw" so it was off to the PowWow. It was pretty soggy but the petting zoo was a big hit. Karissa loved the piglet. By 8pm that night, the kids were ready for bed. Lady and a Tramp relaxed them and they were soon fast asleep.
Sunday when they were getting ready to go, Conner did not want to go. Finally as he was getting in the car, he said "Meemaw, can you go with me?" My heart was so filled with love right then. We talked about his next visit and soon both he and Karissa were in their car seats and waiving a big sweet goodbye to Meemaw and Popa John!

Conner learned a new trick! Wow

Just another day on the farm!

Early evening yesterday, I went to the chicken coop to gather eggs. The hens seem to always use two specific boxes. I checked the first and only found 1 egg. We have 4 adult laying hens so what's up? Then I checked the 2nd box....zero! What the heck? I turned to check the other boxes and not 2 feet from me was a snake, coiled up in the corner. It was a rat snake and not my first encounter, but startled, I just backed up and headed out of the coop. A Texas rat snake, nonvenomous but scary just the same. No, I did not have my camera, this a picture from the Internet. Not the actual one in the coop. YIKES!!!




John was not home, so I had to think things through on my own.

Shot gun or pistol? Yes, every women in Texas has a gun or two......don't they?

So on with the delima. Shot gun would blow a pretty big hole in the wall of my coop. I actually prefer using a pistol. Ok, now when I go inside, the shot will be VERY loud and still create a hole, for some other varmit to enter. What to do? I know the snake only wants the eggs, but I felt compelled to protect the chickens and besides. Any good snake is a dead snake in my book!

I fired a couple of test shots with the piston and got ready to enter the coop. Adrenaline pumping I aimed at the snake. Are you ready for this..........I did NOT shoot! I was just to concerned with the damage I would do to the coop, I just couldn't do it. Why not? When I got back in the house, I unloaded the pistol and put it back in it safe spot and thought about how I had backed down. I really want to be independent and take care of any situation that arises on the farm. But I backed down! Dang it!

I called John and he reassured me that I had done the right thing. Just leave it along, he said and I'll check it out when I get home. But I wanted to Well I know it will be gone, but will return. Even that evening the chickens would not go in the coop. It was like they knew it was still there and didn't want go in. John's good at getting the snake with a hoe and then chopping the head off. No WAY, I need distance and a quick kill! Sounds crazy but I guess that is life in the country. The part I do not like!

So that snake is still out there somewhere and probably getting my eggs right now!
That really bugs me.

Empty Nest

It started out as a quick little getaway for just one night. We traveled very light and didn't pack most of what we usually take. It turned into a 2night, very relaxing mini vacation.

We drove our "classic RV" to the lake and parked on the very last site.

There was a lot of relaxing.

There was fishing..............

Fun time together..................

More fishing................

Even toes in the sand.............


Well if you include the mud and sand of a Texas lake! Hey it felt good. If you I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, I could imagine the sun of Turks and Caicos and the sand in my toes. Everyone should be able to imagine!

There was swimming....................

And lots of smiles for my honey and I..................

Then the sun set............

After kids graduate and head out on their own, there is alot of free time. This "empty nest" took a while to get used to, but I think we are getting the hang of it!